US8132680B2 - Cigarette display system, frame unit, tray unit, magazine unit, and slider unit - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus main body of a frame structure and an apparatus main body of a wall structure are formed separately, tray units200 are attached to the frame main body and the wall main body, and magazine units100 which are held by the tray unit200 hold cigarette packs T. Since the two types of main bodies use the tray units200 and the magazine units100, the cigarette packs T can be displayed in various ways without decreasing productivity. In this way, the present invention provides a cigarette display system1000 having a structure which can display the cigarette packs T in various ways without decreasing productivity.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a cigarette display system for displaying cigarette packs to be sold, and more particularly the present invention relates to a cigarette display system placed in a convenience store, and the like.

BACKGROUND ART

Cigarette packs are currently displayed and sold in stores such as so-called convenience stores. The “cigarette pack” mentioned here does not mean a cigarette which is actually smoked, but means a rectangular solid package which accommodates a plurality of cigarettes.

The cigarette display system for displaying cigarette packs includes a plurality of magazine units and a system frame, for example. The magazine unit is formed in the shape of a box which is elongated in a direction from front to back and has an opened top, using a colorless, transparent resin, for example.

The magazine unit can then accommodate upright cigarette packs arranged in the direction from front to back, which are provided from above. A slider member is attached to the magazine unit on its bottom surface so as to be slidable in a direction from front to back.

More specifically, at the bottom of the magazine unit, an elongated opening is formed in a direction from front to back. Upward-protruded ribs are formed on both left and right sides of the opening. And, the slider member is attached to the pair of ribs and the opening so as to be slidable in a direction from front to back.

And, a wound plate spring to serve as an urging mechanism is attached at a rear of the slider member. One end of the plate spring is pulled out from the slider member and attached to a front bottom part of the magazine unit.

Accordingly, a slider member, which is slidable in a direction from front to back, is resiliently urged by the plate spring. Therefore, a plurality of cigarette packs accommodated in the magazine unit is pushed to a forefront by the slider member.

The system frame holds a plurality of magazine units arranged in the vertical and lateral directions. The system frame includes a plurality of guide rails and a single main frame. A pair of guide rails holds both sides of the magazine unit. The main frame is formed by, for example, metal bars in a solid shape. The plurality of guide rails is fixed in pairs to key points of the main frame.

In the cigarette display system as mentioned above, for example, 20 magazine units are mounted in the system frame in an array of 4 rows and 5 columns. For example, 10 cigarette packs are accommodated in each of the magazine units.

In such the cigarette display system, since cigarette packs are accommodated in colorless, transparent magazine units while the cigarette packs are in an upright state, the cigarette packs are displayed while their representative surfaces facing the front. Therefore, in the cigarette display system, it is possible to display 20 types of cigarette packs, while 10 packs for each kind are accommodated, for example.

When selling a cigarette pack, the cigarette pack is pulled out upward from the forefront part of the magazine unit and remaining cigarette packs accommodated in the magazine unit are pushed forward by the slider member. Thereby, the magazine unit may keep the state of displaying the cigarette packs at the forefront position, even after one cigarette pack is pulled out.

When replenishing cigarette packs in the cigarette display system, a magazine unit is detached from the system frame. Cigarette packs are accommodated in the magazine unit, and the magazine unit having the cigarette packs accommodated therein is mounted in the system frame. Therefore, it is not necessary to perform a troublesome operation for replenishing cigarette packs in a magazine unit fixed in the system frame.

In a cigarette display system as mentioned above, it is possible to wash and clean a magazine unit, by detaching the magazine unit from the system frame, for example.

[Patent Document 1]

Japanese Laid-open patent publication NO. 10-151047

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTIONProblems to be Solved by the Invention

The conventional cigarette display systems are fixed in the overall shape. For this reason, if the space for installing the system is small, the cigarette display system may not be installable. On the other hand, if the space for installing the system is large, a dead space may be created.

In short, the conventional cigarette display system cannot flexibly adapt to various types of installation space. Thereby, it is not possible to set up an effective sales space while optimizing a store space.

Therefore, conventional stores could not display cigarette packs in various ways. Thereby, stores have not set up a highly-appealing sales space by strategically designing modes of displaying cigarette packs, and companies which provide cigarette packs to stores have been unable to propose various modes of display.

Furthermore, the conventional cigarette display systems have been enlarged in order to display a sufficient quantity of cigarette packs. Therefore, the conventional cigarette display systems are generally heavy. It is therefore not easy to bring in and install the system in a store.

For example, many convenience stores operate 24 hours a day. The cigarette display system therefore needs to be brought in and installed while the store is opened. In other words, the cigarette display system needs to be brought in and installed quickly in a space-saving manner. However, this is difficult so far as the conventional cigarette display systems are used.

Further, conventionally, for example, advertisement units are attached to the cigarette display system to display cigarette packs to customers in an appealing manner. In other words, conventionally, advertisement units are required to display the cigarette packs in a more appealing manner.

As mentioned in the above, it is difficult to readily and quickly bring in and install the conventional cigarette display systems, and there is no flexibility with regards to installation and the modes of display of the cigarette packs. Therefore, it is impossible to set up a highly-appealing space of sales so far as the conventional cigarette display systems are used.

To solve these problems, it is considered to prepare a plurality of cigarette display systems having different display methods. However, this results in producing many types of cigarette display systems in limited small amounts, and decreasing total productivity. Therefore, conventionally, a few types of cigarette display systems are mass-produced.

The present invention was accomplished considering the above problems, and provides a cigarette display system having a structure in which cigarette packs can be displayed in various ways without decreasing productivity.

Means for Solving the Problems

According to the present invention, there is provided a first cigarette display system for displaying cigarette packs to be sold, the cigarette display system including: a frame main body formed in the shape in which box structures with an opened front are successively arranged both in vertical and lateral directions; a wall main body formed in a flat plate shape flattened in a direction from front to back, having a front surface with recesses and protrusions of a predetermined shape, the wall main body being a body separate from the frame main body; a plurality of magazine units formed in the shape of a box which is elongated in a direction from front to back and has an opened top, the magazine units having a shape which allows a plurality of the cigarette packs to be held therein while being arranged in the direction from front to back; a plurality of tray units formed in the shape of a box having an opened top, the tray units having a shape which allows a plurality of the magazine units arranged in the lateral direction to be held detachably; a plurality of tray support members provided at vertically different positions to be separated apart in each of a plurality of the box structures in the frame main body, the tray support members detachably holding the tray units respectively; and a plurality of tray attachments for detachably engaging with the recesses and protrusions of the wall main body, the tray attachments detachably holding the tray units.

Therefore, in the cigarette display system of the present invention, a plurality of cigarette packs are held by the magazine unit, and a plurality of the magazine units are held by the tray unit. Although a plurality of the tray units are attached to the frame main body and the wall main body, the frame main body and the wall main body are formed separately and have different structures.

According to the present invention, there is provided a first frame unit used in a cigarette display system for displaying cigarette packs to be sold, the frame unit including: a plurality of main frames made of a metal plate which is bent so that a front shape becomes a rectangular, the main frames being arranged in a direction from front to back; and a plurality of support frames made of a metal plate which is formed in a rail shape elongated in a direction from front to back for supporting a tray unit which is a different body from the frame unit, each pair of the support frames being arranged in the vertical, up-down, direction and joined to an inner surface of the plurality of main frames.

Therefore, when a plurality of frame units of the present invention are arranged in the vertical direction, the main frames made of a metal plate bent to a rectangular frame contact each other at their surfaces. Because of this, a plurality of frame units are stably arranged in the vertical direction. Further, the main frames contacted each other at their surfaces are easily and securely joined each other. Since the support frame and the main frame both of which are made of a metal plate have high rigidity, and a plurality of main frames arranged in a direction from front to back and each pairs of the support frames arranged in the vertical direction are joined together, the frame unit has high rigidity as a whole. Since a plurality of frame units each of which has high rigidity are stably joined together in the vertical direction, a totally strong cigarette display system is realized by a plurality of frame units. The support frame and the main frame both of which are made of a metal plate are easily and securely joined together by spot welding, adhesion, or the like. Since the frame unit is formed to have high rigidity by using a pair of main frames and a plurality pairs of support frames, the number of parts and the number of joint places are decreased.

According to the present invention, there is provided a second frame unit used in a cigarette display system for displaying cigarette packs to be sold, the frame unit including: a plurality of support frames formed in a rail shape elongated in a direction from front to back for supporting a tray unit which is a body separate from the frame unit, each lateral pair of the support frames being arranged in a vertical direction; and a plurality of main frames formed in a rectangular frame inside of which the support frames are joined to, the main frames being arranged in a direction from front to back; wherein guide concave parts engaging with tray protrusions formed on both sides of a bottom surface of the tray unit is formed in the support frame, and when a plurality of the frame units are arranged in the lateral, left-right, direction while alternately front-back inverted in such an arrangement that the main frames are adjacent to each other in a direction from front to back, the positions of the guide concave parts of each frame unit in a direction from front to back are lined up in well-positioned.

Therefore, when a plurality of frame units are alternately front-back inverted and arranged in the lateral direction in an arrangement in which the main frames are adjacent to each other in a direction from front to back, a gap between adjacent tray units becomes a lateral width of a single main frame. Further, since the positions of the guide concave parts of the support frames in a direction from front to back are aligned, the positions of the tray units in a direction from front to back whose tray protrusions engage with the guide concave parts are lined up in well-positioned.

According to the present invention, there is provided a second cigarette display system for displaying cigarette packs each of which is packaged in a rectangular solid shape and cigarette cartons in each of which a plurality of the cigarette packs are packaged in a rectangular solid shape, the cigarette display system including: a plurality of magazine units formed in the shape of a box which is elongated in a direction from front to back and has an opened top, the magazine units having a shape for holding a plurality of the cigarette packs arranged in a direction from front to back in a condition in which each cigarette pack is elongated in a vertical direction and flattened in a direction from front to back; a plurality of tray units formed in the shape of a box having an opened top, the tray units having a shape for detachably holding a plurality of the magazine units which are arranged in five lines in the lateral direction, the tray units being formed in a shape in which the cigarette cartons elongated in the lateral direction are placed; and a system main body for arranging a plurality of the tray units in the vertical and lateral directions.

In the cigarette display system of the present invention, the magazine units arranged in five lines in the lateral direction are held in the tray unit, so that the cigarette packs are displayed in the tray unit in five lines in a condition in which representative surfaces of the cigarette packs facing the front. Furthermore, by removing the magazine units from the tray unit, the cigarette cartons can be displayed in the tray unit in a lateral long state in a condition in which representative surfaces of the cigarette cartons facing the front.

According to the present invention, there is provided a tray unit of the cigarette display system of the present invention formed in the shape of a box having an opened top, the tray unit has a shape for detachably holding a plurality of the magazine units which are arranged in five lines in the lateral direction, and the tray unit is formed in a shape capable of placing the cigarette carton elongated in the lateral direction therein.

According to the present invention, there is provided a third cigarette display system for holding a plurality of cigarette packs arranged in a direction from front to back in each of a plurality of magazine units arranged in vertical and lateral directions, wherein the magazine unit includes: a magazine main body formed in the shape of a box which is elongated in a direction from front to back and has an opened top; a slider member arranged on a bottom surface of the magazine main body so as to be slidable in a direction from front to back; and an urging mechanism which resiliently urges the slider member forward, wherein a bottom surface of the magazine main body is made in a flat plane without a protrusion at least in a range where sliding movement is allowed for the slider member, but has a step which forms a rear surface is formed at a rear part thereof, and a bottom end of a front surface of the slider member detachably engages with the rear surface formed by the step of the magazine main body.

In the cigarette display system of the present invention, the slider member urged forward of the magazine unit by the urging mechanism engages with the step at the bottom rear part of the magazine main body, so that the cigarette packs can be easily replenished in the magazine unit. Further, since the bottom surface of the magazine main body is made of a flat plane at least in a range where theslider member110 can make sliding movement, it is easy to clean and wash the magazine main body.

According to the present invention, there is provided a magazine unit of the cigarette display system of the present invention, and the magazine unit includes: a magazine main body formed in the shape of a box which is elongated in a direction from front to back and has an opened top; a slider member arranged on a bottom surface of said magazine main body so as to be slidable in a direction from front to back; and an urging mechanism which resiliently urges the slider member forward, wherein a bottom surface of the magazine main body is made in a flat plane without a protrusion at least in a range where theslider member110 can make sliding movement, a step which forms a rear surface is formed at a rear part of the bottom surface, and a bottom end of a front surface of the slider member is formed by the step of the magazine main body.

According to the present invention, there is provided a fourth cigarette display system for displaying a cigarette pack which is packaged in a rectangular solid shape and a cigarette carton in which a plurality of the cigarette packs are packaged in a rectangular solid shape, the cigarette display system including: a plurality of tray units formed in the shape of a box having an opened top, the tray units being formed in a shape in which the cigarette carton elongated in the lateral direction is placed; a system main body for arranging a plurality of the tray units in vertical and lateral directions; and a plurality of slider units which are detachably attached to a bottom surface of the tray unit; wherein the slider unit includes: a guide rail elongated in a direction from front to back; an attaching and removing mechanism which detachably attaches the guide rail to the bottom surface of the tray unit; a slider member which is supported so as to be slidable by the guide rail, and an urging mechanism which resiliently urges the slider member forward.

Therefore, in the cigarette display system of the present invention, when a plurality of cigarette cartons are arranged in a direction from front to back on a top surface of the guide rail of the slider unit attached to the bottom surface of the tray unit, and the cigarette cartons are placed in front of the slider member, the cigarette cartons are pushed forward by the slider member which is urged by the urging mechanism.

According to the present invention, there is provided a slider unit of the cigarette display system of the present invention, and the slider unit includes; a guide rail elongated in a direction from front to back; an attaching and removing mechanism which detachably attaches the guide rail to the bottom surface of the tray unit; a slider member which is supported by the guide rail so as to be slidable, and an urging mechanism which resiliently urges the slider member forward.

Although the present invention defines a direction from front to back and a lateral direction in addition to a vertical direction, these are definitions of convenience to simply explain relative relationships between components of the present invention, and do not limit the directions upon producing or using the cigarette display system in the practice of the present invention.

Further, the components of the present invention are not necessarily independent entities. It is possible that a plurality of components may be formed as a single member, a single component may be formed as a plurality of members, a component may be a part of another component, and a part of a component may overlap a part of another component.

EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION

In the cigarette display system of the present invention, a plurality of cigarette packs are held by the magazine unit, and a plurality of the magazine units are held by the tray unit. The cigarette display system can be easily and quickly brought in and installed in a store. In addition, since there is flexibility in an installation area and a display configuration of the cigarette packs, it is possible to set up a sales space which can attract attention effectively. Especially, while a plurality of tray units are attached to the frame main body and the wall main body, the frame main body and the wall main body are formed separately and have different structures. Because of this, since the two types of main bodies use the tray units and the magazine units, the cigarette packs can be displayed in various ways without decreasing productivity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The objects mentioned above, and other objects, characteristics, and advantages are further revealed by a preferred embodiment to be mentioned below, and the following accompanying drawings thereof.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a cigarette display system of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing appearances of two types of magazine units;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a condition in which cigarette packs are being accommodated in a magazine unit;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a condition in which cigarette packs have been accommodated in the magazine unit;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing a condition in which the magazine units where the cigarette packs are accommodated are being set into one of four types of tray units;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing a condition in which the magazine units where the cigarette packs are accommodated are being set into one of four types of tray units;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing one of the four types of tray units;

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing a condition in which the magazine units where the cigarette packs are accommodated are being set into one of four types of tray units;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing one of four types of frame units;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing one of the four types of frame units;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing one of the four types of frame units;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing one of the four types of frame units;

FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view showing a condition where tray units in which cigarette packs are accommodated by magazine units are being set into one of the four types of frame units;

FIG. 14 is a plan view showing a relationship between a plurality of frame units and tray units both of which are arranged in a lateral direction;

FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view showing a condition in which a plurality of frame units arranged in the lateral direction are linked together by clip members and fastener members both of which are a lateral link mechanism;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing appearances of two types of wall units;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing two appearances of four types of tray attachments;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing two appearances of four types of tray attachments;

FIG. 19 is an exploded perspective view showing a condition in which a tray unit is being attached to a wall unit by a tray attachment;

FIG. 20 is an exploded perspective view showing a condition in which a basket unit is being attached to a wall unit;

FIG. 21 is an exploded perspective view showing a condition in which a shaft unit is being attached to a wall unit;

FIG. 22 is an exploded perspective view showing a condition in which a frame unit is being attached to a wall unit by a frame attachment;

FIG. 23 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a modification of the cigarette display system having stocker units;

FIG. 24 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a modification of the cigarette display system having stocker units;

FIG. 25 is an exploded perspective view showing an appearance of another modification of the cigarette display system having presentment parts;

FIG. 26 is a perspective view showing appearances of a slider unit of another modification;

FIG. 27 is a perspective view showing a condition in which the slider units are attached to a tray unit;

FIG. 28 is a plan view showing a condition of another modification in which cigarette packs are being accommodated in a tray unit using a resin panel;

FIG. 29 is a perspective view showing a condition of another modification in which a campaign pack of a cigarette pack is being displayed by using a mesh unit;

FIG. 30 is a plan view showing an appearance of a display simulator of another modification;

FIG. 31 is a plan view showing a condition in which the display simulator is used; and

FIG. 32 is a plan view showing an appearance of a display simulator of another modification;

FIG. 33 is a plan view in an enlarged scale of relevant parts showing relationships between sizes of each part of the frame unit;

FIG. 34(a) is an exploded perspective view showing a condition in which advertisement cards are placed in the magazine units held by the tray unit, andFIG. 34(b) is a perspective view showing a condition in which an advertisement card is placed in the tray unit holding cigarette packs with the magazine units;

FIG. 35 is a perspective view showing a condition in which an advertisement card is placed in the tray unit accommodating cigarette cartons in a lateral long condition;

FIG. 36 is a perspective view showing a condition in which an advertisement card is placed in the tray unit accommodating cigarette cartons in three lines in the lateral direction;

FIG. 37 is a front view showing a relationship between intervals of the tray units arranged in the vertical direction and sizes of accommodated cigarette packs and cigarette cartons;

FIG. 38 is a vertical cross-sectional side view showing a structure of the magazine unit of the cigarette display system;

FIG. 39 is a perspective view showing a condition in which a slider member is removed from a magazine main body of the magazine unit;

FIG. 40 is a vertical cross-sectional side view showing a condition in which the slider unit is attached to the tray unit and cigarette cartons are accommodated;

FIG. 41 is a perspective view showing a structure of the slider unit of the cigarette display system; and

FIG. 42 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a bottom surface of the slider unit.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown inFIG. 1, acigarette display system1000 of the embodiment is used to display cigarette packs T to be sold.

Accordingly, as shown inFIG. 1 and each figure, the cigarette display system1000 includes: a frame main body formed in the shape in which box structures with an opened front are successively arranged both in vertical and lateral directions; a wall main body formed in a flat plate shape flattened in a direction from front to back, having a front surface with recesses and protrusions of a predetermined shape including concavity channels511, the wall main body being a body separate from the frame main body; a plurality of magazine units100 formed in the shape of a box which is elongated in a direction from front to back and has an opened top, the magazine units having a shape which allows a plurality of cigarette packs T to be held therein while being arranged in the direction from front to back; a plurality of tray units200 formed in the shape of a box having an opened top, the tray units200 having a shape which allows a plurality of the magazine units100 arranged in the lateral direction to be held detachably; support frames320, which serve as tray support members, provided at vertically different positions to be separated apart in each of a plurality of the box structures in the frame main body, the tray support members detachably holding the tray units200 respectively; and a plurality of tray attachments600 for detachably engaging with the concavity channels511 of the wall main body, the tray attachment detachably holding the tray unit200.

As shown inFIG. 1(a) andFIGS. 9 to 15, the frame main body includes a plurality offrame units300, each of which is individually formed in the structure of a box, formed separately from each other.

As shown inFIG. 1(b),FIG. 22 and other drawings, the wall main body includes a plurality ofwall units500, each of which has a front surface on which theconcavity channels511 are formed, formed separately from each other.

More specifically, as shown inFIG. 1, thecigarette display system1000 displays the cigarette packs T, cigarette cartons K in each of which a plurality of cigarette packs T are packed, campaign packs P in each of which a cigarette pack T and a free gift are packed together, and the like. The campaign packs P are provided to a store with simple fittings F formed by cardboard, for example.

At present, the cigarette packs T are formed in a rectangular solid shape, which generally has a common length from front to back and lateral width, whilst heights are not uniform. In the embodiment, it is defined that largest surfaces of the cigarette pack T are a front surface and a back surface, and smallest surfaces are a top surface and a bottom surface.

Generally, a brand name and the like are printed on the front surface (and the back surface) of the cigarette pack T. The cigarette packs T are preferably displayed in an appropriate direction so that the front surfaces are facing front. Themagazine unit100 accommodates the cigarette packs T, which are facing in the appropriate direction as mentioned above and arranged in a direction from front to back.

Here, as shown inFIG. 2, thecigarette display system1000 of the embodiment includes: amagazine unit100a, which has a long length from front to back to hold thirteen cigarette packs T; and amagazine unit100b, which has a short length from front to back to hold seven cigarette packs T.

Themagazine unit100 is formed by a colorless, transparent resin.Pockets101,102 having an opened top are formed at front end and back end of themagazine unit100.

As shown inFIG. 34(a), for example, a price tag and an advertisement card C of a cigarette pack T or the like which are shown to customers is accommodated in thefront pocket101. For example, an information card of a cigarette pack T for a store clerk to check is accommodated in theback pocket102.

As shown inFIG. 38, themagazine unit100 includes: a magazinemain body120 formed in the shape of a box which is elongated in a direction from front to back and has an opened top; aslider member110 arranged on a bottom surface of the magazinemain body120 so as to be slidable in a direction from front to back; and an urging mechanism which resiliently urges theslider member110 forward.

In addition, themagazine unit120 has a bottom surface which is made in a flat plane without a protrusion at least in a range where theslider member110 can make sliding movement, and themagazine unit120 has astep105 which forms a rear surface at a rear part of the bottom surface. And a bottom end of a front surface of theslider member110 detachably engages with the rear surface formed by thestep105 of the magazinemain body120.

More specifically, anopening104 elongated in a direction from front to back is formed at the center in the lateral direction of the bottom of the magazinemain body120. In theslider member110, concavity channels are formed at left and right of the bottom of theslider member110 so as to engage with left and right edges of theopening104 of the magazinemain body120 in a slidable manner.

Because of this, the bottom surface of theslider member110 is located lower than the bottom surface of the magazinemain body120. On the other hand,protrusions121 which are located lower than the bottom surface of theslider member110 are formed at both left and right sides of the bottom surface of the magazinemain body120.

In theslider member110, awound plate spring111 is attached to a rear of theslider member110 as an urging mechanism. One end of theplate spring111 is pulled out from the bottom of theslider member110 and attached to a front part of themagazine unit100.

Accordingly, theslider member110 is resiliently urged toward the front by theplate spring111. Since theplate spring111 pulled out from theslider member110 is located inside theopening104 of themagazine unit100, theplate spring111 does not come into contact with a bottom surface of the cigarette packs T accommodated in themagazine unit100.

Astep105 is formed at a rear bottom of themagazine unit100. While being engaged with thestep105, theslider member110 stops against tension of theplate spring111.

Further, at a rear end of theopening104 of the magazinemain body120, a wide opening part is formed. Therefore, as shown inFIG. 39, a bottom part of theslider member110 is inserted from the wide opening part to theopening104 of the magazinemain body120.

As shown inFIG. 38, as for theplate spring111 of themagazine unit100, the front end of theplate spring111 is fixed to a front end of the magazinemain body120 and a wound part wound around its rear end, as the center, urging forward is located at a position where the wound part contacts theslider member110 from behind. And, as shown inFIG. 38, as for theplate spring111, a part located forward of a part below theslider member110 is located inside theopening104 of the magazinemain body120.

Further, in the magazinemain body120, an engaginghook122 to which the front end of theplate spring111 is attached is formed at a front center of the bottom surface. Further, at both left side and right sides of theengaging hook122,protrusions107 which displace a single cigarette pack T to upward are formed.

Themagazine protrusion107 is formed to have a length from front to back same as that of a single cigarette pack T. Accordingly, as shown inFIG. 4, among the plurality of cigarette packs T, which are accommodated in themagazine unit100 and pushed by theslider member110 toward the front, only one at the front end protrudes upward.

Although themagazine protrusion107 is formed at front bottom of themagazine unit100 as mentioned above, in the backward range from theprotrusion107 where theslider member110 can make sliding movement, the bottom surface is made in a flat plane without a protrusion.

As shown inFIGS. 5 to 8, thetray unit200 is also formed in the shape of a box having an opened top using a colorless, transparent resin. A plurality ofmagazine units100 is accommodated in thetray unit200 while themagazine units100 are arranged in a lateral direction. There are two types ofmagazine units100aand100bwhich have different lengths from front to back, as mentioned above.

Here, thecigarette display system1000 of the present embodiment includes atray unit200awhich accommodates fivemagazine units100ahaving a long length from front to back, atray unit200bwhich accommodates threemagazine units100ahaving a long length from front to back, atray unit200cwhich accommodates fivemagazine units100bhaving a short length from front to back, and atray unit200dwhich accommodates threemagazine units100bhaving a short length from front to back.

Tray protrusions201 are formed at both sides of the bottom surface of thetray unit200. Although, there are four types oftray units200 of combinations of two types of width and two types of lengths from front to back, as mentioned above, the length between thetray protrusion201 and the front surface is common to all types of tray units.

Although the details are described later, as shown inFIG. 34(b) and other drawings, apocket202 which accommodates, for example, an advertisement card C or the like for a plurality of cigarette packs T is formed at a front part of thetray unit200.

As shown inFIGS. 9 to 13, theframe unit300 includes a pair ofmain frames310 and a plurality of support frames320. Themain frame310 is made of a metal plate which is bent so that a front shape becomes a rectangular. A pair of themain frames310 is arranged in a direction from front to back.

Thesupport frame320 is made of a metal plate which is formed in a rail shape elongated in a direction from front to back for supporting thetray unit200, and a plurality of support frames320 are arranged in the vertical direction and joined to an inner surface of the pair of themain frame310.

However, as mentioned above, there are two types of lateral widths in thetray units200. Therefore, as shown inFIGS. 9 to 12, thecigarette display system1000 of the present invention includes aframe unit300afor holding three of thetray units200a,200chaving a large lateral width, aframe unit300bfor holding two of thetray units200a,200chaving the large lateral width, aframe unit300cfor holding three of thetray units200b,200dhaving a small lateral width, and aframe unit300dfor holding two of thetray units200b,200dhaving the small lateral width.

In theframe unit300, a guideconcave part321 is formed in thesupport frame320. Thetray protrusion201 of thetray unit200 engages with the guideconcave part321. As mentioned above, although there are two types of lengths from front to back for thetray units200, the lengths from their front surfaces to thetray protrusions201 are common.

Further, as for the four types offrame units300, the length from each front surface to the guideconcave part321 is common. Because of this, as shown inFIGS. 1(a) and13, positions of the front surfaces of thetray units200 held by theframe units300 are lined up in well-positioned to be flush-fitting.

Furthermore, as shown inFIG. 14(a), when a plurality of theframe units300 are arranged in the left-right direction (lateral direction) while alternately front-back inverted such that themain frames310 are adjacent to each other in the front-back direction, the positions of the guideconcave parts321 of eachrespective frame units300 are lined up in well-positioned in the front-back direction.

And, as shown inFIG. 33, a length from front to back A of themain frame310, a length B from a rear edge of the frontmain frame310 to a front edge of the guideconcave part321, and a length C from a rear end of the guideconcave part321 to a front end of the rearmain frame310 satisfy:
B=A+C.

Therefore, when arranging a plurality offrame units300 in the lateral direction, if odd-numberedframe units300 and even-numberedframe units300 are alternately front-back inverted and themain frames310 are arranged to be adjacent to each other in a direction from front to back, as shown inFIG. 14(a) andFIG. 33, positions of guideconcave parts321 ofrespective frame units300 are matched in a direction from front to back. Therefore, as shown inFIG. 14(b), when thetray units200 are mounted in theframe units300 arranged in this way, positions of the front surface of thetray units200 are lined up in well-positioned to be flush-fitting.

In theframe unit300,surface fasteners311, frame link mechanisms, are mounted on both sides of top surface and both sides of bottom surface of themain frames310. At the center of the bottom surface of themain frame310, a frame through-hole313 which serves as a frame concave part is formed. At the center of the top surface of themain frame310, aprotrusion part314 which serves as a frame protrusion is formed.

In thecigarette display system1000 of the embodiment, as shown inFIG. 1, when installing a plurality offrame units300 having a same lateral width in the vertical direction, the plurality offrame units300 are linked by thesurface fasteners311. At this time, the frame through-holes313 engage with theprotrusion parts314.

As shown inFIG. 15, thecigarette display system1000 hasclip members331 andfastener members332, which serve as lateral link mechanisms for holding a plurality offrame units300 which are alternately front-back inverted and arranged in the lateral direction as mentioned above.

Theclip members331 are formed by a spring material, and resiliently hold themain frames310 which are adjacent to each other in a direction from front to back as mentioned above. Thefastener members332 have a structure in which a pair of surface fasteners is attached to a bottom surface of a resin plate. And thefastener members332 are joined to thesurface fasteners311 adjacent to each other on top surfaces of the plurality offrame units300 arranged as mentioned above.

As shown inFIG. 16, thewall units500 include abase wall500aand apanel wall500b. Each of thebase wall500aand thepanel wall500bhas awall part510 which has a flat plate shape flattened in a direction from front to back.

In thebase wall500a, apedestal520 is integrally formed at a bottom end of thewall part510, and a wall link mechanism is mounted at the top end of thewall part510. In thepanel wall500b, the wall link mechanisms are mounted at the top end and the bottom end.

More specifically, in thewall unit500,metal pipes531 that are rectangular in cross-section and have additional function of reinforcement are attached at left and right of the back surface. In thepanel wall500b,metal pipes532 having a diameter slightly smaller than that of themetal pipes531 are fixed at the bottom end of themetal pipes531.

Themetal pipes532 at the bottom end of thepanel wall500bengage with themetal pipes531 at the top end of thebase wall500aand thepanel wall500bfrom the top in such a manner that themetal pipes532 can be freely engaged and disengaged. By using the wall link mechanism including thesemetal pipes531,532, it is possible to link a plurality ofpanel walls500bin the vertical direction and also link thepanel wall500bto thebase wall500aon the top thereof.

Recesses and protrusions of a predetermined shape are formed on the front surface of thewall part510 of thebase wall500aand thepanel wall500b. More specifically, as recesses and protrusions,concavity channels511 running in the lateral direction are arranged at a predetermined interval in the vertical direction. As shown inFIG. 10, theconcavity channel511 is formed in a cross-section of L shape whose rear part is bent downward, for example.

As shown inFIGS. 17 and 18,tray attachments600ato600dare formed in a structure capable of holding thetray units200ato200drespectively. More specifically, thetray attachment600 has a pair of support frames610 elongated in a direction from front to back.

Thesupport frame610 is made of a metal plate which is formed in a rail shape elongated in a direction from front to back for supporting thetray unit200. The pair of support frames610 is linked bylink frames620 elongated in the lateral direction at the front and back of the bottom surface.

Here, as mentioned above, there are four types oftray units200 of combinations of two types of lateral widths and two types of lengths from front to back. Accordingly, there are four types oftray attachments600ato600dof combinations of two types of lateral widths and two types of lengths from front to back, corresponding to thetray units200ato200d.

Further, a guideconcave part611 is formed in thesupport frame610 in thetray attachments600ato600d. Thetray protrusion201 of the tray unit engages with the guideconcave part611.

In the four types oftray units200 and the four types oftray attachments600, thetray protrusions201 and the guideconcave parts611 are formed so that the positions of back parts of thetray unit200 and thetray attachment600 are lined up in well-positioned when thetray unit200 is attached to thetray attachment600. Further, theengagement mechanism630 which detachably engages with theconcavity channel511 of thewall unit500 is formed at the back end of thesupport frame610.

As mentioned above, there are two types of lateral widths in thetray units200 and thetray attachments600. Therefore, as shown inFIG. 19, thewall unit500 is formed to have a lateral width which corresponds to thewide tray attachments600aand600c.

As mentioned above, since there are two types of lengths from front to back in thetray unit200, thepedestal520 of thebase wall500ais formed to have a length from front to back corresponding to that of thetray units200aand200bwhich have the longest length from front to back. Therefore, thetray unit200 does not protrude forward beyond thepedestal520 of thebase wall500a, regardless of the type of thetray unit200.

As shown inFIG. 1 and other drawings, thecigarette display system1000 of the embodiment may have various types of units which are detachably attached to thewall units500, other than thetray units200 mentioned above.

For example, as shown inFIGS. 1(b) and20, abasket unit710 includes abasket member711 formed in the shape of a box with an opened top, and theengagement mechanism630 formed at a rear part of thebasket member711.

Further, as shown inFIG. 1(b) andFIG. 21, ashaft unit720 includes ashaft part721 elongated in a direction from front to back and theengagement mechanism630 formed at a rear part of theshaft part721.

Further, as shown inFIGS. 1(b) and22, theframe unit300 is attached to the front surface of thewall unit500 by a pair offrame attachments700. Theframe attachment700 includes asupport part701 which is elongated in a direction from front to back and has a cross-section of L shape, and theengagement mechanism630 formed at a rear part of thesupport part701.

In theframe unit300, as shown inFIG. 37, a plurality oftray units200 are arranged in the vertical direction at intervals of a length which is greater than or equal to the vertical height of a cigarette pack T elongated in the vertical direction and smaller than or equal to two times of the vertical height of the cigarette pack T. At the same time, the plurality oftray units200 are arranged in the vertical direction at intervals of a length which is greater than or equal to two times of the vertical height of a cigarette carton K elongated in a direction from front to back and flattened in the vertical direction and smaller than or equal to three times of the vertical height of the cigarette carton K.

In a configuration as mentioned above, for thecigarette display system1000 of the embodiment, even when making a combination of the four types offrame units300 in the vertical and lateral directions as shown inFIG. 1(a) , or making a combination of the two types ofwall units500 in the vertical and lateral directions as shown inFIG. 1(b) , it is possible to form a whole system and freely adjust its vertical height and lateral width.

Because of this, thecigarette display system1000 of the embodiment can have an outer shape suitable to an installation space. Therefore, it is possible to use space effectively, and generation of dead space can be prevented effectively.

Further, even when thecigarette display system1000 is formed by theframe units300, or formed by thewall units500, the four types oftray units200 and two types ofmagazine units100 can be commonly used and freely installed. Because of this, by only mass-producing a small types ofunits100 to600 and the like, it is possible to provide extremely variouscigarette display systems1000 to stores.

Furthermore, in a store where thecigarette display system1000 is used, thetray units200 andmagazine units100 can be continuously used, even when the use of thewall units500 is changed to the use of theframe units300.

And, when thecigarette display system1000 which is set up by theframe units300 are used in some of a plurality of sales spaces and thecigarette display system1000 which is set up by thewall units500 are used in the other sales spaces, thetray units200 and themagazine units100 can be commonly used by both of thecigarette display systems1000. In addition, when thecigarette display system1000 is formed by thewall units500, theframe units300 can be used as its parts.

Thecigarette display system1000 can be set up by theframe units300 as well as thewall units500 as mentioned above. Therefore, since there is flexibility in the site of installation and the mode of display of the cigarette packs T, it is possible to set up a highly-appealing space.

Therefore, the owner or the like of the store can actively design a cigarette pack display configuration to set up a sales space which can attract attention effectively. Furthermore, companies which provide the cigarette packs T to stores can propose new display configurations.

In a case of a frame structure, since there arewide frame units300a,300bfor holding five lines of cigarette packs T, andnarrow frame units300c,300dfor holding three lines of cigarette packs T, it is possible to have the system favorably correspond to a lateral width of installation space.

Further, since there aretall frame units300a,300cfor holding three rows of cigarette packs T, andshort frame units300b,300dfor holding two rows of cigarette packs T, thecigarette display system1000 can beset up so as to fit various height installation spaces.

Theframe units300ato300dare linked in the vertical direction in a combination of frame units having the same width, while there is no limit on the combination of theframe units300ato300dwhen they are arranged in the lateral direction.

Thetray units200ato200dare held by theframe units300ato300dhaving corresponding lateral widths, while there is no limit on a length from front to back of thetray unit200 held by theframe unit300.

Further, two or threetray units200 are held by theframe unit300. There is no limit on the minimum number of thetray units200 held by theframe unit300.

Thetray units200ato200dare held by thetray attachments600ato600drespectively having a corresponding lateral width. However, as for thewall units500, there is no limit on a location and the number of thetray units200 attached to thewall units500 by using thetray attachments600 on the front surface of thewall units500.

In addition, theframe units300 are joined together in the vertical direction by thesurface fasteners311. Because of this, a plurality offrame units300 can be joined together easily in the vertical direction without any tool or the like.

Furthermore, as shown inFIG. 15, it is possible to link, in the lateral direction, a plurality offrame units300 which are alternately front-back inverted and arranged in the lateral direction as mentioned above, by using theclip members331 and thefastener members332.

Because of this, a plurality offrame units300 can be linked together easily also in the lateral direction without requiring any tool or the like. Further, thesurface fasteners311 for linking theframe units300 in the vertical direction are effectively used also for linking of the lateral direction as mentioned above.

It is possible to mount themagazine units100 by using thetray units200 in theframe units300 set up in the vertical and lateral directions without any tool as mentioned above.

Thewall units500 are joined together in the vertical direction by engagements of themetal pipes531 and532. Because of this, a plurality ofwall units500 can be joined together easily and securely in the vertical direction without any tool or the like.

It is possible to arrange and place thewall units500, which are linked in the vertical direction as described above, in the lateral direction. And, it is possible to mount themagazine units100 by using thetray attachments600 andtray units200 in thewall units500 set up in the vertical and lateral directions without any tool as mentioned above.

Thecigarette display system1000 of the embodiment can be easily set up without any tool, both when it is formed by theframe units300 and when it is formed by thewall units500 as mentioned above.

Because of this, thecigarette display system1000 which is large and strong as a whole can be easily set up by using small andlightweight frame units300 andwall units500. Especially, since the cigarette packs T to be accommodated are lightweight, thecigarette display system1000 relatively has high strength.

Therefore, bringing in and installation of the cigarette display system can be performed quickly while using a small space. For example, for a 24-hour convenience store, bringing in and installation of thecigarette display system1000 need to be performed when a store is open to customers.

However, as mentioned above, thecigarette display system1000 can be quickly brought in and installed using a small space. Therefore, it does not disturb a sales operation of the convenience store and the like.

Further, in theframe unit300, a product which is used to join parts of automobiles can be used as thesurface fastener311. In that case, a plurality offrame units300 can be joined together securely by thesurface fasteners311.

When a plurality offrame units300 are joined together in the vertical direction as mentioned above, a pair of theprotrusion parts314 of alower frame unit300 engage with a pair of the frame through-holes313 of anupper frame unit300. Because of this, the relative positions of a plurality offrame units300 in the vertical and lateral directions joined together in the vertical direction can be corrected easily and reliably.

In thewall units500, themetal pipes531,532 which are used for linking thewall units500 in the vertical direction have an additional function for reinforcing the structure. Because of this, thewall units500 need a minimum number of parts, and also thewall units500 become light-weighted and the productivity of thewall units500 becomes good.

Furthermore, when thetray unit200 is held by theframe unit300 as mentioned above, thetray protrusion201 engages with the guideconcave part321. Because of this, thetray unit200 is easily and securely held by theframe unit300 in a correct position.

In addition, although there is a plurality of types oftray units200 having different lengths from front to back, the length from their front surfaces to thetray protrusion201 is common. And, as for a plurality of types offrame units300, the length from their front surfaces to the guideconcave part321 is common. Because of this, even when a plurality of types oftray units200 are held by a plurality of types offrame units300, positions of the front surfaces of thetray units200 are lined up in well-positioned.

Especially, as for theframe units300, as shown inFIG. 33, a length from front to back A of themain frame310, a length B from a rear edge of the frontmain frame310 to a front edge of the guideconcave part321, and a length C from a rear end of the guideconcave part321 to a front end of the rearmain frame310 satisfy:
B=A+C.

Because of this, it is easy to realize a structure in which positions of the guideconcave parts321 are lined up in well-positioned in a direction from front to back in the arrangement as mentioned above.

Furthermore, when a plurality offrame units300 are arranged in the lateral direction, if theframe units300 are alternately front-back inverted, positions of the guideconcave parts321 of the support frames320 are lined up in well-positioned in a direction from front to back.

Because of this, even when thetray units200 are held by a plurality offrame units300 arranged in the lateral direction as mentioned above, positions of the front surfaces of thetray units200 are lined up in well-positioned.

Therefore, in thecigarette display system1000 of the embodiment, when the whole system is set up by theframe units300, it is possible that positions of the front surfaces of the cigarette packs T displayed while being held by a plurality ofunits100 to300 are lined up in well-positioned, whereby the cigarette packs T can be displayed beautifully.

Especially, themagazine unit100 pushes forward a plurality of accommodated cigarette packs T by theslider member110. Because of this, the cigarette packs T accommodated in a plurality ofmagazine units100 can be automatically displayed in a common position.

Further, themagazine units100 and thetray units200 are formed by a colorless, transparent resin. Accordingly, it is possible to display the cigarette cartons K accommodated in thetray units200 and the cigarette packs T accommodated in thetray units200 by using themagazine units100, in a condition in which they are favorably seen.

In addition, themagazine unit100 pushes up only one at the front end of the cigarette packs T accommodated by themagazine protrusion107. Accordingly, it is easy to pick up a single cigarette pack from the accommodated plurality of cigarette packs T.

In themagazine unit100, as shown inFIG. 3, by engaging theslider member110, which is placed backward by sliding movement, with thestep105, theslider member110 can be stopped against the tension of theplate spring111. Accordingly, it is easy to replenish a plurality of cigarette packs T in themagazine unit100.

Furthermore, when a plurality offrame units300 are arranged in the lateral direction in a condition in which their direction from front to back are alternately inverted, it is possible to minimize gaps between the plurality offrame units300 arranged in the lateral direction. Because of this, a display density of the cigarette packs T can be increased.

As for theframe unit300, a plurality of support frames320, each of which supports thetray unit200, are arranged in the vertical direction and supported by a pair ofmain frames310, and the pair ofmain frames310 is arranged in a direction from front to back and supported by the plurality of support frames320.

In short, theframe unit300 is formed by bare minimum of theframes310 and320 which work as both functional parts and structural bodies. Because of this, the productivity of theframe units300 becomes good and theframe unit300 becomes lightweight.

Especially, since thesupport frame320 is bent to have a cross-section of a square bracket shape, thesupport frame320 has high rigidity. Since themain frame310 is formed in a closed frame shape, themain frame310 has high rigidity. And, theseframes310 and320 are joined together in three dimensions. Because of this, theframe unit300 has extremely high rigidity compared with conventional fittings formed by metal bars or the like.

Since thecigarette display system1000 of the embodiment can be assembled by a freely combining theframe units300, thewall units500, thetray units200, andmagazine units100 as mentioned above, it is easy to disassemble a part of thecigarette display system1000 and clean it.

Especially, themagazine unit100 of the embodiment has a flat bottom surface having no protrusion, at least in a range where sliding movement is allowed for theslider member110. Accordingly, the bottom surface of themagazine unit100, on which the cigarette packs T are directly placed and which is easy to be dirty, can be easily washed or cleaned.

In thecigarette display system1000 of the embodiment, themagazine units100aand100bare held by thetray units200ato200dhaving a corresponding length from front to back. As shown inFIGS. 1(a) and1(b), the cigarette carton K, the simple fittings F of the campaign packs P and the like can be directly held by thetray unit200 without using themagazine unit100 being held by thetray unit200. In short, it is possible to display the cigarette carton K, the simple fittings F and the like which have a shape that cannot be accommodated in themagazine unit100 as well.

As shown inFIG. 1(a), it is possible to place the above mentioned simple fittings F on a top surface of theframe unit300, and also it is possible to arrange the simple fittings F in theframe unit300 in which thetray units200 are not set (not shown).

On the other hand, as shown inFIG. 1(b), thebasket unit710 can be attached to a desired position of the front surface of thewall units500. Because of this, by using thisbasket unit710, it is possible to favorably display the cigarette cartons K, the simple fittings F and the like.

In addition, theshaft unit720 can be attached to a desired position of the front surface of thewall units500. Because of this, by using thisshaft unit720, it is possible to favorably display campaign packs P and the like which are difficult to be displayed in a conventional cigarette display system.

At present, the cigarette packs T and the cigarette cartons K are packed in a cardboard box and provided to a store, and they are replenished into themagazine units100 or thetray units200 of thecigarette display system1000 in the store.

However, it is also possible to provide themagazine units100 filled with the cigarette packs T and thetray units200 filled with the cigarette cartons K to a store, and collectempty magazine units100 andempty tray units200 from the store. In this case, since the operation to replenish the cigarette packs T and the cigarette cartons K into themagazine units100 and thetray units200 is not needed in the store, it is possible to increase sales efficiency.

As shown inFIG. 34(a) , each of themagazine units100 includes apocket101 in which an advertisement card C or the like can be placed at a front part similarly to the conventional one. Because of this, it is possible to perform advertisement and promote sales for the cigarette packs T accommodated in each of themagazine units100.

In addition, different from the conventional tray unit, thetray unit200 includes apocket202 in which an advertisement card C or the like can be placed at a front part. Therefore, as shown inFIG. 34(b), it is possible to accommodate a plurality of types of cigarette packs T which are sold in series in thetray unit200, and perform an advertisement common to the series of cigarette packs T.

Further, as shown inFIG. 35, it is also possible to place an advertisement card C corresponding to the cigarette cartons K in thepocket202 of thetray unit200, and favorably advertise the cigarette cartons K accommodated in the lateral long condition.

Furthermore, as shown inFIG. 36, it is also possible to place an advertisement card C corresponding to a plurality of types of cigarette cartons K which are sold in series in thepocket202 of thetray unit200, and perform advertisement common to the series of cigarette cartons K accommodated in three lines in the lateral direction.

Therefore, in thecigarette display system1000 of the present embodiment, it is also possible to advertise the variously displayed cigarette packs T and cigarette cartons K in an optimal condition for each of them, to promote sales.

In a conventional cigarette display system (not shown), although a plurality of magazine units are arranged in the vertical and lateral directions, there is no structure equivalent to the tray unit. Therefore, the conventional cigarette display system cannot accommodate cigarette cartons as mentioned above, and also cannot place the advertisement card C corresponding to the cigarette cartons.

In addition, as shown inFIG. 37, a plurality oftray units200 supported by theframe unit300 are arranged in the vertical direction at intervals of a length which is greater than or equal to the vertical height of a cigarette pack T elongated in the vertical direction and smaller than or equal to two times of the vertical height of the cigarette pack T. At the same time, the plurality oftray units200 are arranged in the vertical direction at intervals of a length which is greater than or equal to two times of the vertical height of a cigarette carton K elongated in a direction from front to back and flattened in the vertical direction and smaller than or equal to three times of the vertical height of the cigarette carton K.

Because of this, in thecigarette display system1000 of the present embodiment, by using a plurality oftray units200 supported by theframe units300, it is possible to accommodate and display the cigarette packs T and the cigarette cartons K with a good space efficiency in the vertical direction as well.

Further, in themagazine unit100, a wide opening part is formed at a rear end of theopening104 of the magazinemain body120. Because of this, as shown inFIG. 39, theslider member110 can be attached to the magazinemain body120 so as to be slidable without any tool or the like.

Since theslider member110 is attached to theopening104 of the magazinemain body120 so as to be slidable like this manner, the bottom surface of theslider member110 is located lower than the bottom surface of the magazinemain body120.

However, theprotrusions121 which are located lower than the bottom surface of theslider member110 are formed at both left and right sides of the bottom surface of the magazinemain body120. Because of this, even when themagazine unit100 is placed on the bottom surface of thetray unit200, theslider member110 slides without touching the bottom surface of thetray unit200.

Further, as for theplate spring111 which urges theslider member110 of themagazine unit100 forward, a part located forward of apart below theslider member110 is located inside theopening104 of the magazinemain body120. Therefore, as shown inFIG. 38(b), theplate spring111 does not scratch the bottom surface of the cigarette packs T accommodated in themagazine unit100.

Further, in the magazinemain body120, the engaginghook122 is formed at the front center of the bottom surface. Because of this, the front end of theplate spring111 can be easily attached to the front end of the magazinemain body120.

Further, the magazinemain body120 includestriangular protrusions107 formed at both left and right sides of the bottom front thereof. Accordingly, a forefront one of the cigarette packs T among a line of cigarette packs T pushed by theslider member110 can be displaced upward.

In addition, as shown inFIG. 38, the above mentionedtriangular protrusions107 are located at both left and right sides of theengaging hook122. Because of this, as shown inFIG. 38(b), the engaginghook122 for fixing theplate spring111 does not hit the bottom of the cigarette packs T.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiment, and various modifications are allowed without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, in the above embodiment, it is exemplified that the whole configuration of thecigarette display system1000 is formed by theframe units300 or thewall units500.

However, as shown inFIGS. 23 and 24, thecigarette display system1000 can further includesstocker units400 andtable units410. Thestocker unit400 is formed in the shape of a box having at least a flat top surface and a front surface, which can be opened and closed.

Thetable unit410 is formed in the shape of a vertically flattened box having a flat top surface. In thetable unit410, atable part412 is accommodated in aunit box411 while allowing sliding movement of thetable part412 in a direction from front to back. Accordingly, it is possible to protrude thetable part412 forward and use it for a work.

As shown inFIG. 23, since theframe unit300 has two types of lateral widths as described above, the above mentionedstocker units400 and thetable units410 are formed to have two types of lateral widths which correspond to those of theframe units300.

Because of this, it is possible to combine thestocker units400 and thetable units410 corresponding to theframe units300 to be used. Therefore, thecigarette display system1000, as a whole, can have an appearance of unity, and generation of dead space can be prevented effectively.

On the other hand, as mentioned above, in thewall unit500, the lateral width and the length from front to back of thepedestal520 correspond to those of alargest tray unit200. Therefore, as shown inFIG. 24, by combining withwide stocker units400 andtable units410, also thecigarette display system1000, as a whole, can have an appearance of unity.

In addition, as mentioned above, since thetray units200 have two types of lengths from front to back, the above mentionedstocker units400 andtable units410 are formed to have a length from front to back corresponding to that of thetray units200aand200bwhich have a longest length from front to back. Therefore, thetray unit200 does not protrude outside thestocker unit400, even when any type oftray unit200 is used.

By using thestoker units400 as mentioned above, thecigarette display system1000 can be installed in a suitable condition even in a space having no counter. Furthermore, by using thetable units410 as mentioned above, it is possible to increase operational efficiency when replenishing the cigarette packs T, and at the same time thetable units410 are not cumbersome when not in use.

Thestocker units400 and thetable units410 may have a structure which can be linked in the vertical direction by using recesses/protrusions and surface fasteners formed on the top surface and the bottom surface (not shown), for example, similarly to theframe units300 and thewall units500.

In this case, for example, by making locations and structures of the recesses/protrusions and the surface fasteners common to theframe units300, theframe units300 can be correctly, easily and securely mounted on thestocker units400 andtable units410. In this case, it is preferred that the surface fasteners are attached to a bottom surface of thepedestal520 of the wall units500 (not shown).

Furthermore, as shown inFIG. 25, thecigarette display system1000 includingframe units300 may further includespresentment parts420. Thepresentment parts420 are made of a resin panel having a cross-section of L-shape, for example.Front parts421 of thepresentment parts420 are formed to be an advertisement or decoration.

Magnets423 sticking to themain frame310 of theframe unit300 are attached toparts422 orthogonal to the above mentioned parts. Because of this, it is possible to easily attach thepresentment parts420 on the top surface and the side surfaces of theframe units300. For example, when changing the cigarette packs T to be sold, it is easy to change thepresentment parts420. Also, thepresentment parts420 as mentioned above can be formed to have a total length corresponding to the vertical heights and the lateral widths of the plurality of types offrame units300, for example.

It is possible to attach surface fasteners on thepresentment parts420 as mentioned above, and these surface fasteners may be joined to thesurface fasteners311 on the top surface of theframe unit300. In this case, thepresentment parts420 can be more securely attached to the top surfaces of theframe units300. Further, theframe units300 arranged in the lateral direction can be linked by thepresentment parts420.

Further, in the above embodiment, it is exemplified that theslider member110 which pushes the cigarette packs T forward by the resilient force of theplate spring111 is attached to themagazine unit100, and the cigarette cartons K can be directly accommodated in thetray unit200.

However, theslider member110 which pushes the cigarette cartons K forward by the resilient force of theplate spring111 can be mounted in thetray unit200. In that case, as shown inFIGS. 26 and 27,slider units430 detachably attached to thetray unit200 are prepared.

As shown inFIGS. 40 to 42, theslider units430 includes aguide rail431 elongated in a direction from front to back,adhesive sheets435, attaching and removing mechanisms, for detachably attaching theguide rail431 to the bottom surface of thetray unit200, aslider member110 which is supported by theguide rail431 so as to be slidable, and aplate spring111 which resiliently urges theslider member110 forward.

In theslider unit430,resin parts432,433 are attached to the front and back end of theguide rail431. Theslider member110 is supported by theguide rail431 to allow sliding movement, and one end of theplate spring111 wound at the rear of theslider member110 is linked to thefront resin part432.

Theslider unit430 uses parts such as theslider member110 same as themagazine unit100, and theslider unit430 is formed to have a structure similar to that of themagazine unit100 as a whole. Specifically, theguide rail431 is provided with anopening436 elongated in a direction from front to back formed in the center of the top surface thereof.

Concavity channels engaging with left and right edges of theopening436 of the magazine main body so as to be slidable are formed at left and right at the bottom of theslider member110. In this regard, theguide rail431 is made of an aluminum alloy extrusion material or the like having a consistent cross sectional shape from the front end to the rear end.

Further, afront part432 and arear part433 are attached to the front and the rear of theguide rail431. Because of this, theslider member110 provided to be slidable can be prevented from being dropped.

The front end of theplate spring111 which is pulled out from theslider unit430 is fixed to thefront part432. A step is formed between theguide rail431 and a top surface of therear part433. Because of this, as shown inFIG. 41(b), a bottom end of a front surface of theslider member110 which is located in theopening436 of therear part433 detachably engages with a top end of a rear surface of theguide rail431.

In thiscigarette display system1000, theslider unit430 can be attached to the bottom surface of thetray unit200. In that case, when a plurality of cigarette cartons K are arranged in a direction from front to back and placed on a part of theguide rail431 which is located in front of theslider unit430, the cigarette cartons K can be pushed forward by theslider member110 which is urged by theplate spring111.

Because of this, when a forefront cigarette carton K is picked up from thetray unit200 and sold, the next cigarette carton K is automatically placed at the forefront. Therefore, the cigarette cartons K can be always automatically favorably displayed.

For this reason, it is possible to place thecigarette display system1000 in a location facing customers so that the customers can directly pick up the cigarette carton K. In this case, it is possible to increase customer satisfaction and decrease work load on store clerks.

In addition, even when the cigarette carton K is picked up as mentioned above, an alignment of the cigarette cartons K automatically becomes an optimal condition by theslider unit430. Because of this, even when a customer picks up a cigarette carton K, the cigarette cartons K does not become disordered and the store can maintain a highly-appealing sales space.

In addition, since theslider unit430 is detachably attached to thetray unit200, thetray unit200 can hold themagazine units100 when theslider unit430 is removed as mentioned above.

Especially, since theadhesive sheets435 are attached on the bottom surface of theguide rail431, theslider unit430 can be easily attached on the bottom surface of thetray unit200 without any tool or the like.

Further, in theslider unit430, thefront part432 and therear part433 are attached to the front and the rear of theguide rail431. Because of this,slider member110 provided to be slidable can be prevented from being dropped without modifying theguide rail431 made from a hard aluminum alloy.

In addition, the front end of theplate spring111 which is pulled out from theslider unit430 is fixed to thefront part432. Because of this, the front end of theplate spring111 is held at an appropriate position, without modifying theguide rail431 made from a hard aluminum alloy.

Further, theplate spring111 laid across in a tensioned state between thefront part432 and theslider unit430 is located inside theopening436 of theguide rail431. Because of this, bottom surfaces of the cigarette cartons K are not scratched by theplate spring111.

Furthermore, as shown inFIG. 41(b), theslider member110 can be suspended by engaging the bottom end of the front surface of theslider member110 which is located in theopening436 of therear part433 with the top end of the rear surface of theguide rail431. Therefore, the cigarette cartons K can be easily replenished in thetray unit200 with theslider member430.

In addition, the step with which theslider member110 engages is formed as a boundary between theguide rail431 and therear part433. Because of this, a structure for suspending theslider member110 at a rear position is realized, without modifying theguide rail431 made from a hard aluminum alloy.

Further, both of theslider unit430 and themagazine unit100 can use theslider member110 and theplate spring111. Because of this, productivity of the whole system can be increased.

And, in the above embodiment, it is exemplified that the cigarette packs T are accommodated in thetray unit200 in an upright condition using themagazine units100. However, as shown inFIG. 28, it is possible to set aresin panel440 having a bent shape into a waveform or the like on the bottom surface of thetray unit200, and accommodate the cigarette packs T with themagazine units100 in a slant condition into thetray unit200.

In this case, since only four columns of cigarette packs T can be accommodated in thetray unit200 which can accommodate five columns of cigarette packs T, the accommodation efficiency decreases. However, it is possible to make variations to the display of the cigarette packs T.

Further, in the above embodiment, it is exemplified that themagazine units100 and thetray units200 are formed by a colorless, transparent resin. However, themagazine units100 or the like may be formed by a fluorescent colored resin.

In that case, for example, it is possible to accommodate and display general cigarette packs T in colorless,transparent magazine units100, and accommodate and display newly marketed cigarette packs T in fluorescentcolored magazine units100. In this case, it is possible to favorably attract attention to specific cigarette packs T.

And, in the above embodiment, it is exemplified that the cigarette packs T, the campaign packs P, and the like are displayed in theframe units300 by using thetray units200, themagazine units100 and the like. However, as shown inFIG. 29, the campaign pack P and the like may be displayed by using amesh unit450 which is detachably attached to theframe unit300.

Themesh unit450 has aframe part451 whose front surface shape is rectangle, amesh part452 arranged within theframe part451, and abase part453 extending backward from a bottom part of theframe part451.

Thebase part453 is formed to have a lateral width and a length from front to back corresponding to the top surface of theframe unit300. On the bottom surface of thebase part453 of themesh unit450, surface fasteners (not shown) are attached. These surface fasteners are detachably attached to thesurface fasteners311 on the top surface of theframe unit300.

When such amesh unit450 is attached on the top surface of theframe unit300, it becomes possible to suspend the campaign pack P on themesh part452 by using an S pipe S.

At present, when the cigarette pack T displayed in thecigarette display system1000 is sold, the sales information is collected by an electronic cash register (not shown).

Further, when the cigarette packs T or the like are replenished in thecigarette display system1000, the replenishment information and inventory information are collected by a handy terminal (not shown) or the like.

However, it is also possible to provide function for collecting such sales information, replenishment information, and inventory information to thecigarette display system1000. For example, at present, it is considered to mount an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) chip (not shown) on various commodities such as the cigarette packs T.

Accordingly, installing an RFID reader (not shown) in thecigarette display system1000 makes it possible to collect the sales information, the replenishment information, and the inventory information of thecigarette display system1000.

For example, the RFID reader as mentioned above can be installed in themagazine unit100, thetray unit200, theframe unit300, thewall unit500 and the like, and also it may be a unit detachably attached to themagazine unit100, thetray unit200, theframe unit300, thewall unit500 and the like.

When providing thecigarette display system1000 to a store, it is obvious that a combination ofnecessary units100 to500 is different in each store. In that case,necessary units100 to500, and the like are considered at store side. And it is possible to provide a display simulator800 to support the consideration to the store.

For example, adisplay simulator800afor a frame structure, as shown inFIG. 30, includes: flatplate unit models810 simulating the front surface shape of theframe units300 at a predetermined scale; acounter model820 simulating a front surface shape of a store counter (not shown) at the same scale as that of theunit models810;stocker models830 simulating the front surface shape of thestocker units400 at the same scale;table models840 simulating the front surface shape of thetable units410 at the same scale; a flat platehuman model850 simulating a front surface shape of a person at the same scale; and alayout board860 on which the plurality ofmodels810 to840 are laid out and detachably attached and at the same time the human model is detachably attached.

Thelayout board860 is formed by a magnetic sheet and themodels810 to850 are formed by a magnet sheet. In a store to which such adisplay simulator800ais provided, by laying outvarious models810 to830 on thelayout board860, as shown inFIG. 31, it is possible to consider a combination ofvarious units100 to500 and the like of thecigarette display system1000.

In addition, since thisdisplay simulator800aincludes thehuman model850 on a unified scale, it is possible to check a relative relationship between thecigarette display system1000 and a person.

Especially, thehuman model850 is formed so that an arm part is rotatable. Accordingly, it is possible to check whether thecigarette display system1000 can be set up within an area in which a person operates.

Furthermore, it is possible that a manufacturer of thecigarette display system1000 collects thedisplay simulator800ain whichvarious models810 to830 are laid out on thelayout board860 in a store, and then providesvarious units100 to500 and the like to the store corresponding to the layout.

Of course, as shown inFIG. 32, it is possible, in the same way, to form adisplay simulator800bincluding flatplate unit models870 simulating the shape of the front surface of thewall units500 on a predetermined scale.

Furthermore, it is possible to provide a display simulator in which both of the above mentionedunit models810 and870 for theframe units300 andwall units500 are prepared (not shown) to a store.

Claims (13)

The invention claimed is:

1. A cigarette display system for displaying cigarette packs to be sold, said cigarette display system comprising:

a frame main body formed in the shape in which box structures with an opened front are successively arranged both in vertical and lateral directions;

a wall main body formed in a flat plate shape flattened in a direction from front to back, having a front surface with recesses and protrusions of a predetermined shape, said wall main body being a body separate from said frame main body;

a plurality of magazine units formed in the shape of a box which is elongated in a direction from front to back and has an opened top, said magazine units having a shape which allows a plurality of said cigarette packs to be held therein while being arranged in the direction from front to back;

a plurality of tray units formed in the shape of a box having an opened top, said tray units having a shape which allows a plurality of said magazine units arranged in the lateral direction to be held detachably;

a plurality of tray support members provided at vertically different positions to be separated apart in each of a plurality of said box structures in said frame main body, said tray support members detachably holding said tray units respectively; and

a plurality of tray attachments for detachably engaging with said recesses and protrusions of said wall main body, said tray attachments detachably holding said tray units.

2. The cigarette display system according toclaim 1,

wherein said frame main body includes:

a plurality of frame units each of which is foamed in said box structure and formed separately from each other; and

a frame link mechanism for linking a plurality of said frame units in the vertical direction, and

said wall main body includes:

a plurality of wall units each of which has a front surface on which recesses and protrusions are formed and is formed separately from each other; and

a wall link mechanism for linking a plurality of said wall units in the vertical direction.

3. The cigarette display system according toclaim 2, further comprising a frame attachment having an engagement mechanism for detachably engaging with said recesses and protrusions of said wall unit and a frame suspension member for suspending said frame unit.

4. The cigarette display system according toclaim 2, wherein said tray units include a plurality of types of tray units whose lateral widths are different from one another corresponding to the number of said magazine units to be held,

said frame main body includes a plurality of types of frame units whose lateral widths are different from one another corresponding to said plurality of types of said tray units,

said wall units are formed to have a lateral width corresponding to a largest lateral width of said plurality of types of said tray units, and

said tray attachments include a plurality of types of tray attachments whose lateral widths are different from one another corresponding to said plurality of types of said tray units.

5. The cigarette display system according toclaim 2, further comprising a stocker unit formed in the shape of a box which has at least a flat top surface and a front surface, which can be opened and closed,

wherein said stocker unit includes a plurality of types of stocker units whose lateral widths of said top surface are different from one another corresponding to said plurality of types of said frame units.

6. The cigarette display system according toclaim 2,

wherein said frame units include a plurality of types of frame units whose heights are different from one another corresponding to the number of said tray units to be held.

7. The cigarette display system according toclaim 2, wherein said frame unit includes:

a plurality of main frames made of a metal plate which is bent so that a front shape becomes rectangular, said main frames being arranged in a direction from front to back; and

a plurality of said tray support members made of a metal plate which is formed in a rail shape elongated in a direction from front to back for supporting said tray unit, each pair of said support frames being arranged in the vertical direction and joined to an inner surface of said plurality of main frames.

8. The cigarette display system according toclaim 2,

wherein said wall units include:

a base wall with a pedestal integrally formed at a bottom end and in which a said wall link mechanism is mounted at the top end; and

a panel wall in which said wall link mechanisms are mounted at the bottom end and the top end.

9. The cigarette display system according toclaim 1,

wherein said wall main body is formed in a shape in which a plurality of said recesses and protrusions each going through in the lateral direction are arranged in a predetermined interval in the vertical direction.

10. The cigarette display system according toclaim 1,

wherein said magazine units include a plurality of types of magazine units whose lengths from front to back are different from one another corresponding to the number of said cigarette packs to be held,

said tray units include a plurality of types of tray units whose lengths from front to back are different from one another corresponding to said plurality of types of said magazine units,

said frame main body holds said plurality of types of said tray units whose lengths from front to back are different from one another in an arrangement in which the positions of the front surfaces of said tray units are lined up in well-positioned, and

said tray attachments include a plurality of types of tray attachments whose lengths from front to back are different from one another corresponding to said plurality of types of said tray units.

11. The cigarette display system according toclaim 1,

wherein said cigarette pack is formed in a rectangular solid shape,

there is a rectangular solid shape cigarette carton including a packaged plurality of said cigarette packs, and

said tray unit is formed in a shape in which said cigarette carton is arranged to elongate in the lateral direction.

12. The cigarette display system according toclaim 1, wherein said magazine unit includes a slider member arranged on a bottom surface on which said cigarette packs are placed so as to be slidable in a direction from front to back, and an urging mechanism which resiliently urges said slider member forward, and

said bottom surface is made in a flat plane without a protrusion at least in a range where sliding movement is allowed for said slider member.

13. The cigarette display system according toclaim 1, further comprising a slider unit which is detachably attached to a bottom surface of said tray unit,

wherein said slider unit includes:

a guide rail elongated in a direction from front to back,

an attaching and removing mechanism which detachably attaches said guide rail to said bottom surface of said tray unit,

a slider member which is supported by said guide rail so as to be slidable, and

an urging mechanism which resiliently urges said slider member forward.

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